Diffuser for hydraulic machines



Jan. 10,'1928.

1,655,829 W M WHlTE\ DIFFUSER FOR HYDRAULIC MACHINES Flled June 5 1926 Patented J an. l0, 1928.

WILLIAM M. WHITEl OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

DIFFUSER FOR HYDRAULIC MACHINES.

Application filed June 5,

This invention relates to improvements in energy regaining apparatus, and relates more specifically to improvements 1n the kconstruction of diifusers or draft tubes for hydraulic machines such as `turbines or pumps.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for reenforcing diffuser structures or the like. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved concrete draft tube construction of great strength and eXtreme rigidity. These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of the mode of constructing diii'users in accordance therewith, may Vbe had by referring t0 the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. l is a transverse horizontal section through an improved hydraulic` turbine draft tube embodying the invention, the section being taken along the line I-I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the draft tube of Fig. l, the section being taken along the irregular line II-II of Fig. l.

lrVhile the invention has been specifically applied herein to a type of draft tube known as the Hydraucone regainer, it will be apparent that the novel features thereof are more generally applicable to other forms of diifusers. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the diffuser 4 comprises a downwardly enlarging vertical chamber, the upper end of which communicates with the discharge opening of a turbine 2 and the lower end of which flares rapidly into al horizontal diffuser chamber 5 which communicates with a tail-race 6 through a conducting passage The inlet guide vanes of the turbine 2 communicate with a supply flume 3, the fiume 3 being separated from the tail-race 6 by means of concrete structure 8. The annular downwardly enlarging concrete bounding wall of the diffuser 4 has its upper portion formed integral with the concrete structure-8 and is also integrally united with the structure 8 at its front'and rear portions by means of piers 13, 14.

Located within the concrete wall or bell of the diffuser 4, is a series of inclined metal reenforcing bars 9 which extend longitudinally of the vertical diifuser chamber 4 and -series of metal 1926*. Serial No. 113,909.

span the .secondary diffuser chamber 5 located below the diffuser 4. The upper ends of the reenforcing bars 9 are intercormected by a plates l0 and metal angle bars all of which are embedded in the concrete of the diffuser wall. The medial po'rtions of the bars 9 are likewise interconnected by a series of metal reenforcing plates ll also embedded in the' concrete of the ditfuser wall. The lower extremities of the bars 9 are provided with metal anchor plates l2 embedded in the concrete structure 8, and the reenforcing bars 9 and the plates 10, 11 cooperate to lprovide a metal reenforcing structure whichen irely surrounds or encircles the dii'l'user chamber.

In constructing a diduser in accordance with the present invention, the reenforcenient structure is firstassembled and properly positioned within suitable forms. The concrete of the structure 8 and of the annular draft tube wall is then poured around the metal reenforring structure, thus effectively embedding the upper and lower portions of the bars 9, the reenforcing plates l0, ll, and the anchor plates l2 in a solid bed of concrete.l While four sets of the bars 9 have medial portions spanning the diffuser chamber 5, the space occupied by these spanning portions is such a slight percentage of the total area of the discharge passages, that the loss in eiciency due to such obstruction is negligible. The metal reenforcing structure besides providing rigidity in the draft tube and thus eliminating possible vibration, also provides a rigid support for the turbine 2 located thereabove. Itwill be apparent that the improvement is applicable to other forms of diifusers and turbine draft tubes, than the type specifically shown.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the eXact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent: v

l. In combination, a reenforcing structure comprising a series of upwardly extending inwardly inclined bars and superposed series of horizontal bars connecting said inclined bars, a base rigidly connecting the lower ends of said inclinedbars, and an annular concrete diffuser bounding wall embedding. said horizontal barsand the adjacent portionsfofsaid inclined bars, said wall being supported above and spaced from Said base by said inclinedbars. p l

2. In combination, a. reenforcing structure comprising a series of upwardly extending inwardly inclined bars and several Superposed series of horizontal bare connecting' said inclined bars, a. concrete base einbedding the lower ends of said. inclined bars and having an upper substantially plane surfa'cd and an annular concrete dinser bounding wall embedding said horizontal bars: and the adjacent portions of said# inclined bars, said Wall being` supported aboveand spaced from said surface by said clined bars.

3. In combinatioma reenforcing structure con'iprising aseries 0l. equally spaced upwardly extending inwardly inclined bars and Several superposed series of horizontal bars connecting said inclined bars, a concrete basel embedding and rigidly connecting the lower endev of said inclined bars, and an annular concrete bounding wall forming a conical diffuser and embedding said horizontal bans-andthe adjacent Yportions of said inclined bars, Vsaidj wallI being supported above and spaced from said base by said inclined bars. n

In testimony whereofv7 the signature ofi the inventor is aliixed hereto.

winninn M. WHITE 

